Sunday, May 7th, 2017

Medford, Oregon

79th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 April 2000 by

James E. Faust

Mosiah 25:1-13

Those gathered in Zarahemla unite and become known as Nephites.

*How does it help you to hear examples of God's goodness and power in the lives of others?

*To what sources, other than the scriptures, can we turn to learn of others' experiences with the goodness of God? (Don't forget family stories and histories!).

3 Nephi 29-30

29:1-12 The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is a sign that the latter-day gathering has begun.

30:1-2 Latter-day Gentiles commanded to come unto Christ.

DC 68:25-35

Parents are commanded to teach the gospel to their children; The Saints are to observe the Sabbath, labor diligently, and pray.

General Conference

Confide in God Unwaveringly

Elder Ulisses Soares

"Therefore, lift up you heads, and rejoice, and put your trust in God..." If ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart,...and serve Him will all diligence of mind,...He will , according to His own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage. Mosiah 7:19,33.

The faith of king Limhi's people was so profoundly affected by the words of Ammon that they made a covenant with God to serve Him and to keep His commandments, regardless of their difficult circumstances.  Because of their faith, they were able to devise a plan to escape from the hands of the Lamanites.

I had planned on getting up at 4:30 this morning to finish preparing my Primary lesson, but it was actually 5:30.  I got a call earlier in the week from the other teacher who teaches the same lessons as I do.  Her brother is very sick in the hospital in Flagstaff and she is going to see him and could I teach her class on Sunday.  I said I would be glad to.  I took down her brother's name and put it on the temple prayer roll.  

My lesson today is on the Saints Gather to Kirtland, Ohio.    There were two great stories in this lesson.  One was about Joseph Smith walking in to the Whitney store in Kirtland and saying to Newell K. Whitney: "Newell K. Whitney, thou art the man.  You prayed me here, now what do you want?"  Joseph had seen Brother Whitney in a vision praying for the opportunity to meet the prophet.  

The other was the story of Lucy Mack Smith leading a group of saints to Ohio and praying for the ice to break so they could cross Lake Erie.  What an amazing story!  These are the children who attended my class: Curtis, Colter, Jace and Lianna from my class.  Curtis brought enough money for us to buy a set of scriptures to give to one of our inactive members.  Since he donated all the money I told Curtis he could choose who we should give it to.  He chose his friend Braxton.  We will have a pizza party and during the party will deliver cookies and the scriptures to Braxton.  From the other class: Norma, Curtis's and Zemira's cousin who is visiting, Talena, Kacey, and Zemira.  Ashten wasn't here.  Her sister got married last night and maybe she stayed up too late celebrating.

James did not come to church today.  When I sat down in the chapel before Fast and Testimony meeting Judy told me she got a call last night a 8 o'clock asking her if she would teach gospel doctrine.  I guess Ed didn't make it back from the valley because of a track meet.  Everyone who bore their testimony today mentioned the Book of Mormon.  Our ward is scheduled to finish it by the end of May.  I was not planning on bearing my testimony but the Spirit told me otherwise.  I was the last adult to go up.

In singing time today we practiced three mother's day songs.  The Primary will be singing next week to the mothers.  It felt like Lianna, and Curtis and I were the only ones singing.  I was so grateful that in spite of his attitude, Curtis did sing!

Brother Wilhelm and Sister Skousen did a sharing time on repentance.  Curtis brought more money today to buy a set of scriptures for someone in our class who is not currently attending.  He wants the first set of scriptures to go to his friend Braxton.  Since he paid for them I said he could choose. 
Lianna, the only girl in my class who attends is my friend and helper.  She asked me today if Brother Lambson does anything for me for mother's day.  I said oh, yes, he always makes me a steak dinner.  Does he serve you breakfast in bed?  I said yes, he does.  She is so thoughtful and sweet!

I saw the Curtis's son who has cancer at sacrament meeting today.  My heart went out to him.  He is in his early thirties and is skin and bones.  I felt like crying.  I have never seen him at church before.

My friend Christy posted these tulips on the

Logan temple grounds.

James was feeling better when I got home from church.  Since it still was not time to break out fast we watched part of the first new episode of The Good Witch.  While we were watching the doorbell rang.  It was the missionaries and they wanted me to go with them to their next appointment to talk to the children about Primary.  I said I would be glad to go and I would meet them there.  I went in and got dressed again in my Sunday clothes and drove to #91 on the Crossroads.  The elders were already there.  This sister takes in foster chiildren every other weekend.  The children present were Isabell who is nine, Dominic who is 5, and Malia who is probably two.  I told them a little bit about Primary and told Isabell she would be in my class.  The elders showed a video featuring a Primary song and then went in to their message.  I did not say anything more.  Dominic came over and sat next to me in my chair. The elders spoke about Heavenly Father's plan but never issued a challenge.  I recognized this sister's name from a list of investigators the elders gave us back in 2014.  She has been on my prayer list for that long.  I will continue to pray for her and the children.  Two of her friends showed up during the lesson, Twila and her daughter Kelly.  

James had some chili on the stove when I got home so I broke my fast.  We finished watching The Good Witch.  I sent out my family scripture text and did the rest of my gospel study.  Michael sent a wonderful text to James today thanking him for being a great example of what a father should be.  I guess his lesson in elder's quorum today was about fathers and it reminded him of his grandpa.  I think it made James's day.  James texted back to him that he was grateful for the example that Michael was to his brothers.

 Photos:

Chris

Chloe

Elder Hunsaker from our ward is serving

in West Virginia.

A giraffe and his tongue.

James de-miceing the wall.

Thank goodness for my sniffer.

Alex and his cadillac.

Rowan relaxing in the hammock his dad

brought back from Honduras.

Hang on Ruby!

Today's sunset.

Sunday, April 30, 2017

Louisville, Kentucky

76th operating temple

Mosiah 19:25-20:11

* What are some things prophets and apostles teach in our day that will help us avoid suffering and sorrow?

3 Nephi 18

1-14 The sacrament of the Lord's supper is instituted and explained.

15-21 Watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation.

22-25 The Church is to meet together often and invite all to come unto Christ.

26-39 The Twelve instructed to judge worthiness to partake of the sacrament and empowered to confer the Holy Ghost.

DC 64:1-13

The Saints are commanded to forgive one another, lest there remain in them the greater sin;

10 I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.

*Why should we resolve conflict quickly?

- Elder Klebingat: "Forgive everyone, everything, all the time, or at least strive to do so, thus allowing forgiveness into your own life.  Don't hold grudges, don't be easily offended, forgive and forget quickly.  Spiritual confidence increases when you know the Lord knows you bear no ill feelings toward another soul." (Oct.2014) 

General Conference

That Our Light May Be a Standard for the Nations

 Elder Benjamin DeHoyos

"The Savior's gospel and His restored Church give us many opportunities for our light to be a part of the great standard for the nations."

Foundations of Faith

Elder Quentin L. Cook

"My plea is that we will make the sacrifices and have the humility necessary to strengthen the foundations of our faith in the Lord

Jesus Christ."

I read two chapters in "Women and the Priesthodd" by Sheri Dew.  I loved the cSthapter on Personal Revelation and wish I would have read it before my presentation on the 22nd.  

We sat by our friend Colin D. at stake conference today.  When we asked where his wife was he said: "She is in the valley visiting with grandkids.  She isn't over that fix yet.  I got over it in about 15 minutes."  He seemed a little sad and lonely and I felt bad for him.

We need some of these trees in Vernon.

This session of stake conference was another spiritual feast.  The first speaker was our stake president, President Shumway.  He spoke about the Atonement of Jesus Christ:  "All we like sheep have gone astray.  The sheep know the shepherd, the Holy One of Israel.  Christ must be the center of everything we do. Study the Atonement and put all you know on an 81/2 x 11 page.  The Atonement of Jesus Christ washes away every stain.  We must have a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  The best time to repent is today.  Time doesn't heal all wounds, the Savior heals all wounds.  As we follow counsel we become changed, we become more like the Savior.  Be more faithful and studious in the Book of Mormon.  Study everyday.  Write you testimony in the Book of Mormon and give it to someone."
Other speakers: Talon W. from our ward, President Jensen, Brother and Sister Miller of the Snowflake temple presidency, Sister Carol Thompson the White Mountain stake Relief Society President.  And of course, Elder and Sister Southward.  Here are some notes I took during Elder Southward's talk.  He spoke for over 30 minutes again with not notes.  "We live in a troubled world.  Our religious freedom is threatened, marriage is being challenged, and we have natural disasters around the world.  There is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven....(he had this entire scripture memorized.)  Trials may come so the Lord can magnify His power through us.  Faith in Jesus Christ can make us whole.  We must repent daily.  We must have a broken (humble) heart and a contrite (deeply repentant) spirit.  Heavenly Father knows each of us by name.  Follow the counsel given by our prophet.  2013 tornado in Oklahoma story.  Testified to the divinity of Jesus Christ.  Put the Lord first and give our very best to Him.  Align our will with the will of the Lord."

Grilled tuna sandwiches and chicken noodle soup for lunch.  The soup was homemade from Safeway and I did not like it, but the sandwich was delicious.  After lunch we took a nap. 

When I got up from my nap I went on Facebook.  I saw a picture of a boy who we know in the Galveston 3rd ward only he was almost unrecognizable because he was made up like a girl.  He announced that he has transgender dysphoria.  This boy who now goes by the name of Chloe was one of the stalwart young men in the ward.  He bore a wonderful testimony one of the last times we visited the ward.  He is a good friend of Ben's.  Soon after he made his announcement his parents each made a statement. 

This statement was from Chloe's mother:
"When my second child was born and was placed in my arms for the first time, I was overcome with an immense love for this child straight from God.  It was stronger than anything I had experienced.  I kissed and expressed love over and over.  The doctor commented he had never seen a mom bond so strongly and so instantly with a newborn.  I never forgot this experience and wondered what it meant.  God blessed me with this love.  I feel this same love today.  I love you Chloe.

This statement from Chloe's father:
"When my wife was pregnant for the second time, during a routine ultrasound, the technician let us know we were having a boy.  My wife wanted a daughter so bad that she cried.  I loved the name Elizabeth and am almost certain that was a name we would use for our daughter.  It took us eighteen years to learn that the ultrasound was wrong.  I am pleased to introduce Chloe Elizabeth.  She is the most courageous girl I know.  She is beautiful on the inside and out.  She is kind-hearted and incredibly talented.  She still hates the Raiders.  I feel so blessed that God trusted me to be her father.  I hope I can live up to my responsibility.  Chloe, I love you."

This is a boy that James and I taught in Primary, along with our grandson Alex.  He was bright, intelligent, sensitive, and spiritual.  I admire and love his parents so much.  They are amazing.  It is hard for me to believe this is really happening.  James and I are both in shock but we want to understand and extend our love to Chloe and all of her family.  Her brother Alex is serving a mission in Chile. James is very close to Alex.  He spoke at his farewell and was his mentor on his Eagle project, spending hours helping him build cages for the animals at Desert Oasis Park in Chandler.  Chloe's mother was the Primary President when James was the bishop.  Now she is the Relief Society President.  I have such respect for her and her husband for the Christlike love they are exhibiting to their child who has one of the greatest challenges to face in this life.  Right now everyone is very loving and supportive but I wonder what Chloe's life will be like in the future.  (It is so hard for me to call the boy I knew by this name.)  I pray for understanding and acceptance.

This evening we watched a past episode of "The Good Witch."  This is such a good show and I don't feel guilty watching it on Sunday because Cassie Nightingale is one of the most kind and loving people portrayed on television.

I had a hard time going to sleep tonight.  I think I am still in shock.

Fun Photos:

How is this for a kids clubhouse.

He claims he doesn't allow dogs on the bed.

Lady is his pet.

Should I be jealous?

Max showing off his braces.

Anna took this picture.

I love this picture of Rowan.

Two beautiful girls!

So funny.  Evan isn't quite sure 

what to do.